How to Measure & Cut Picture Frames

Picture frame moldings are available in many profiles.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, and those words were to fit neatly into a book, then the picture’s frame serves as the book’s seductive cover, enticing its viewer to take a closer look. You can cut your frame from one of literally hundreds of picture frame moldings on the market.

1

Measure the article to be framed. Add 1/8 inch to the width and length. This allows room to comfortably place the picture into the frame without buckling. You will need this measurement in the next step. For example: An 8-by-12-inch photograph will be adjusted to 8 1/8 inches by 12 1/8 inches.

2

Turn over the picture frame molding and look at its back side. There should be a rabbet -- a rectangular groove -- cut into the corner edge. This rabbet allows space for the glass, mat, picture and backing to lay inside the frame. Measure the width of that rabbet: 1/4 inch is typical. Double the rabbet width and subtract it from the adjusted dimensions from Step 1. For example: 1/4-inch rabbet width doubled is 1/2 inch. Subtract 1/2 inch from 8 1/8 to get 7 5/8 inches. This is the cut width. Subtract 1/2 inch from 12 1/8 to get 11 5/8 inches. This is the cut length.

3

Put on safety goggles. Loosen the angle adjustment knob on the miter saw and swivel the blade left until the angle indicator is at 45 degrees, then tighten.

4

Place the molding on the left side of the miter saw table, decorative side up, rabbeted side toward you and the back of the molding against the saw’s fence. Slide the molding slightly past the path of the saw blade and hold it firmly, keeping your hand a safe distance from the blade. With your opposite hand, turn the saw on and slowly lower the blade though the molding.

5

Measure from the angled cut of the rabbeted side of the molding and mark the cut length -- calculated in Step 2 -- with a pencil.

6

Loosen the angle adjustment knob on the miter saw and swivel it to the right until the angle indicator is on the 45-degree mark, then tighten.

7

Place the molding on the saw table with the measured portion on the right side of the blade. Move the molding along the fence until the measurement mark is on the right edge of the saw blade path. Hold the trim firmly in place with your right hand and, with your left hand, slowly cut through the molding.

8

Repeat Steps 3 to 7 for the remaining three sides of the frame.

Things You Will Need

Tape measure

Pencil

Miter saw

Safety goggles

Tips

Use masking tape to mark dark-colored moldings if pencil marks are too hard to see.

Practice making precision cuts on scrap wood before making the final cuts for your frame pieces.

Use the appropriate blade for the materials being cut.

The rabbet is a small rectangular section that is cut away from the back corner edge of the molding's profile. This is what distinguishes picture frame molding from other types of molding.

Warnings

About the Author

Ray Owen has been writing since 2008. His publications include a novel, “The Hole” and articles in “Hoosier Heritage Magazine” and Motiveatus.com. He has been a home designer, builder and remodeler for 20 years. He has an A.S. degree in engineering from Louisville Technical Institute.